Exposing “silent” heart attacks through novel imaging techniques

2012

Challenge

Each year, about 1.2 million people in the U.S. have heart attacks , but not all heart attacks are visible with electrocardiography (EKG). Rapid and accurate methods to detect and manage “silent” heart attacks are needed to speed diagnosis and ensure timely treatment.

Advance

IRP scientists led by Andrew E. Arai, M.D., pioneered the use of non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to accurately detect and respond to unrecognized myocardial infarctions.

Impact

For the first time, physicians are able to detect, monitor, and treat heart attacks that patients may not even know had occurred. Early intervention in this type of cardiac damage can reduce the likelihood of subsequent cardiac events, including heart failure.